Old Stagecoach Inn’s Ghostly Guests

The Old Stagecoach Inn is an historic bed and breakfast built in 1826, located in the center of Waterbury Village, VT. Formerly a tavern, stagecoach stop, and private residence, it is currently listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Is there a “ghost in residence” eternally occupying the Inn? Room 2 is reportedly haunted by a lady named Margaret Spencer who supposedly died there. Built in 1826, by a wealthy millionaire, It has served as a tavern, stagecoach stop, and a private residence and is now one of Waterbury Vermont’s most well-known historic Inn. In 1890, the Old Stagecoach Inn underwent its first character structural transformation “from New England Federal to Victorian, an aspect that was meticulously restored in 1987 as an example of country elegance,” which can be seen in great detail in its elegant parlor or in the cozy library bar.

The Old Stagecoach Inn has three floors. In the downstairs area, there is a large parlor with original antiques, and the rooms throughout the inn also have era antique sofas, easy chairs, organ, tapestries, and oriental carpets. The second and third floors, where the guest rooms are, there are 8 uniquely different rooms, and 3 more modern suites with TV, Cable, eat-in kitchen alcove and private bath.

During the 1920’s, through the ’40’s, the Old Stagecoach Inn was the private home of a wealthy socialite, Margaret Spencer. In 1947, Margaret died at the age of 98, in her own bedroom, which is known as Room 2. Margaret Spencer loved her home so much, she chose not to move on to the other side, but instead decided to haunt old bedroom, appearing occasionally to startled guests, wearing a white shawl. Margaret Spencer apparently has no plans to ever leave and has made no effort to do so. However, she seems to be willing to share her room with the living, though the living may find a ghostly roommate slightly unnerving.

Some people pass on but are so attached to their past lives that they choose to remain here, and walk among the living. This actually fits in quite well with the Vermont folklore, that often boasts that an old house is not really the genuine article unless there is a ghost in residence.
The Old Stagecoach Inn would seem to be the epitome of such folklore. There is a long history and stories of strange goings on there, which the new owners may have dismissed as products of the imagination. But as time passed a continuing series of “happenings” most likely forced them to reconsider.

These “happenings” are mostly minor, almost practical jokes, as though someone or some thing were having fun with a perplexed housekeeper or guest. They would occur as often as not, in broad daylight with living people present, at other times in the dead of night. For example, a rocking chair may begin to rock in an agitated manner, continuing for awhile with no one near it; furniture items move on their own; beds have their linens stripped and neatly folded while the housekeeper is working nearby, plus other similar incidents too numerous to mention. The “ghosts” seem to be playful though and not malevolent. The only ill effects have been a reluctance of cleaning staff to work alone upstairs.

Vermonter

Vermonter.com was started back in the mid 1990's as a Vermont resource guide. Since then it has evolved into more of a quirky historical and unusual chronicle of off beat Vermont folklore, myths and legends. It's easy to create a Vermont resource but damn hard to corral all the "good stuff" in one place. But hey, I'm having fun! This website is best enjoyed on a dark, rainy day with a cup of coffee and a loyal dog (or cat) asleep at your feet. So enjoy and have fun. "There be WEIRD stuff here!" Comment below, if you dare!